American Craft Beers Awarded Abroad

Press Release

Sep. 18, 2013 at 1:48 PM

BOULDER, Colo. — Vying for attention in the international arena, 23 American craft breweries, all members of the Brewers Association’s Export Development Program, won 36 awards in 22 different categories at European Beer Star, one of the most respected and recognized beer competitions in the world. The honorees were announced on September 18 at drinktec in Munich, Germany.

The competition is limited to 51 judging categories with consideration given to types of beer which have their origins in Europe. Over 1,500 beers from 40 different countries were evaluated by 102 beer and brewery expert judges. Gold, silver and bronze medals are awarded in every category and given for authentic, distinctive beers of impressive taste and quality that best fulfill the criteria of the particular style.

American craft breweries that received gold medal honors included:

Brewery

Beer

Category

Boston Beer Company

Boston Lager

Bohemian-Style Pilsner

Deschutes Brewery

The Abyss 2012

Imperial Stout

FiftyFifty Brewing Co

Iced BART

Ultra Strong Beer

Firestone Walker Brewery

Pale 31

English-Style Pale Ale

Firestone Walker Brewery

Union Jack

India Pale Ale (IPA)

Firestone Walker Brewery

Double Jack

Imperial India Pale Ale

Founders Brewing Co.

Mango Magnifico

Herb and Spice Beer

Il Vicino Brewing Co

Saint Bob’s Bourbon Barrel Aged Imperial Stout

Wood and Barrel-Aged Strong Beer

Left Hand Brewing Co

Left Hand Milk Stout

Sweet Stout

Pelican Pub & Brewery

MacPelican’s Wee Heavy

Scotch Ale / Wee Heavy

“At Deschutes Brewery, we have been participating in the European Beer Star competition for several years, with success. When we began our brewery, over 25 years ago, our model was a European one where American beer would return to its roots in Britain and continental Europe. To be able to compete successfully in such a prestigious event as the European Beer Star is validation that our efforts have been worth it,” said Gary Fish, president, Deschutes Brewery. “Our efforts to export beer to Europe are still in their infancy. However, we know, through the European Beer Star and the Brewers Association Export Development program, our opportunities for success are far greater than if we attempted to develop a new market, sophisticated in beer, on our own it would be incredibly difficult.”

“What an amazing honor to receive our fourth European Beer Star Award for our Left Hand Milk Stout,” said Eric Wallace, president, Left Hand Brewing Company. “We are incredibly proud to produce such a widely acclaimed sweet stout both in the United States and in the European Union. We hold the European Beer Star competition in high regard and it is very rewarding to be recognized on the international stage for our efforts.”

“As demand for products from small and independent craft brewers continues to grow in America, we are seeing the same things in many markets around the world. Consumers are looking for unique and distinctive products,” said Bob Pease, chief operating officer, Brewers Association. “We’re thrilled to see that the international community is simultaneously responding to the ingenuity of American craft brewers as they continue to produce innovative, flavorful, unique and high-quality beers.”

Exports of American craft beer have maintained tremendous growth over the past several years. The Brewers Association’s Export Development Program reported record exports of American craft beer in 2012, with American craft beer export volume increasing by 72 percent with an estimated value of $49.1 million. Total American craft beer exports have increased by over 500 percent since 2007.

For more information about the European Beer Star Awards and a complete list of the 2013 American craft brewery winners, visit the European Beer Star website. Learn more about the Export Development Program on the Brewers Association website.

About the Brewers Association

The Brewers Association is the not-for-profit trade association dedicated to small and independent American brewers, their craft beers and the community of brewing enthusiasts. The Brewers Association (BA) represents more than 70 percent of the brewing industry, and its members make more than 99 percent of the beer brewed in the U.S. The BA organizes events including the World Beer Cup┬«, Great American Beer Festival┬«, Craft Brewers Conference & BrewExpo America┬«, SAVORÔäá: An American Craft Beer & Food Experience andAmerican Craft Beer Week┬«. The BA publishes The New Brewer magazine and its Brewers Publicationsdivision is the largest publisher of contemporary and relevant brewing literature for today’s craft brewers and homebrewers.

Beer lovers are invited to learn more about the dynamic world of craft beer at CraftBeer.com and about homebrewing via the BA’s American Homebrewers Association. Follow us on Twitter.

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